The cook, R Mohanan (46), of Thiruvalluvar Nagar in Tiruvanmiyur had been provisionally selected by a Japanese firm in Algeria. His selection was subject to a medical test. He was sent to Malar Hospitals in Adyar, which, after tests on February 23 last year, said in its report that Mohanan had tested positive for HIV.

The hospital also declared as its final impression that he was not fit for the job. This resulted in the immediate cancellation of the provisional selection and job offer.

There was also immediate and disastrous effect of the report on his family. He and his wife Parimala started suspecting each other’s fidelity, leading to constant and endless quarrels.

Later, Mohanan and his wife got tested at the Voluntary Health Services Hospital which, in the first week of March last year, declared both of them HIV negative.

Mohanan and his wife moved court and lodged a complaint against the hospital with the TN Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, seeking Rs 15 lakh for the loss of job and another Rs 15 lakh towards compensation for the turmoil and mental agony. The commission has sent a notice.

The hospital refused to comment when approached by this website’s newspaper.